Sustainability Flashcards
What is COP?
- It is the UN Climate Change Conference. It is attended by countries which signed the UN Framework on Climate Change 1994.
Where was COP 28 hosted and what was the outcome?
COP 28 was hosted in Dubai and during this, they agreed to ‘transition away from fossil fuels’. It was agreed that the Loss and Damage fund would be managed by the World Bank.
Explain your understanding of the term sustainability?
- To meet the present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
- Key principals including environmental protection economic growth and social equity were first established in the Brundtland Commission Report in 1987.
What are the 3 pillars of sustainable development / the ‘principles’ of sustainability?
- Social - (Building healthy communities)
- Economic - Build strong, competitive economies.
- Environmental - Protecting and enhancing the natural, built and historic environment.
What are the most common environmental issues experienced on construction sites?
- Risk of Water Pollution
- Air and noise pollution.
- Risk of land contamination.
- Damage to wild habitats.
- High energy consumption & carbon emissions.
- High wastage production to landfill.
- Release of dangerous gases and chemicals.
What are key pieces of Scottish legislation that affect sustainability in construction?
- Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019
- Established Net Zero Targets for 2045.
2.Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009
- This set an interim target of 42% greenhouse reduction for 2020. 80% greenhouse gas reduction reduction for 2050.
- The Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016.
- Requirements on building owners for both the assessment and the improvement of the energy performance of non-domestic buildings with:
a) over 1,000m2
b) Constructed to 2002 standards or after.
- To comply an owner must obtain an EPC and undertake an Action Plan to identify works to improve energy performance.
- Once a plan is in place, the owner has 3.5 years to carryout improvement works. This obligation transfers to a new owner on purchase.
What different codes of practice are you aware of for measuring sustainability?
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
- Sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through specification, design and end use.
- It can apply to new and refurbishment projects, non-domestic and domestic.
- Available ratings are:
a. Outstanding
b. Excellent
c. Very good
d. Good
e. Pass
f. Unclassified - SKA Ratings (RICS Established, now and independant not-for -profit)
- An Environmental Assessment for non-domestic fit out projects.
- The scheme assess fit out projects against a set of sustainability good practice criteria, known as Good Practice Measures (GPM). - LEED (Life Cycle Assessment)
- LEED Stands for (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- It is the USA equivalent to BREEAM.
- Ratings include:
a. LEED Certified
b. Silver
c. Gold
d. Platinum
What Procedures does your firm implement to promote sustainability?
- Recycle cardboard, paper and plastics.
- Use LED lights activated by PIR sensors.
- We have planted trees to offset carbon.
What is the Paris Agreement?
- The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty concerning climate change.
- It was adopted by nearly every nation and came into affect in 2016.
- The goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius whilst targeting 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
Name some sustainable building technologies / methods?
- The use of recycled materials such as reclaimed timber, tiles and plastics.
- Utilising solar panels and wind turbines to produce renewable power.
- Solar shading
- Rain water harvesting
- Green roofs.
Please explain your understanding of SuDS?
- SuDS Stands for Sustainable Drainage System.
- SuDS slows down water run-off by allowing it to infiltrates into the ground.
- SUDS are considered to be environmentally friendly as they do not rely on the manufacture of plastic or clay drainage components and instead utilise natural vegetation and material to absorb surface water.
What is an EPC, how long do they last and how are they rated?
- Energy Performance Certificates became a legal requirement in 2008 where a domestic building is sold, let or constructed?
- Once an EPC is obtained it is valid for 10 years.
- EPC’s were rated on a scale of A-G.
- The energy efficiency of the built asset along with potential efficiency improvements are identified.
- The EPC will also show the amount of CO2 emissions produced by the property and will advise the amount it could be reduced by.
What sustainability initiatives are you aware of that are being implemented by the RICS?
RICS participated at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) as a UN-accredited observer organisation to lead and influence critical discussions on sustainability.
- The RICS has also launched the ‘value the planet’ campaign in 2020 which is committed to forming a climate change expert panel to implement the UN sustainability development goals.
What are the UN Sustainability Goals and when were they introduced.
In 2015, UN Members adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which included 17 sustainable development goals, which included:
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work & Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partners for the Goals
What is outlined in the Section 63: Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings, of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 / 2016?
Under Section 63 of The Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and 2016
- Requirements on building owners for both the assessment and the improvement of the energy performance of non-domestic buildings with:
a) over 1,000m2
b) Constructed to 2002 standards or after.
- To comply an owner must obtain an EPC and have an Action Plan undertaken by a Section 63 advisor to identify works to improve energy performance.
- Action Plans must be available to prospective buyers or tenants
- The two types of action plan are a Prescribed Measures Action Plan and an Alternative Measures Action Plan. The Prescribed Action Plan recommends measured without considering the feasibility of these improvements while the Alternative Action takes a more bespoke and specific approach.
- Once a plan is in place, the owner has 3.5 years to carryout improvement works. This obligation transfers to a new owner on purchase.
- If the owner wishes, they can defer the improvements by lodging a Display Energy Certificate (DEC), which reports on the actual measured energy use. This must be lodged annually until the recommended works have been completed.
